Old Age And Disability Tourism

Our guests who come to our country within the scope of old age tourism are able to take advantage of excursions, occupational therapy and rehabilitation services in a nursing home. And special care for the disabled is provided in clinic hotels and rehabilitation centres. Setting off from the fact that the percentage of the population of over -65s in European Union countries such as Germany, Holland and Belgium is around 20%, the European Union has established a separate unit within its own structure.

According to the United Nations and the World Aging Organisation the present number of over-65s is around 600 million. This number is forecasted to reach 2 billion in 2050.

As can be understood from the above data, the aged, whose numbers are increasing at pace, are causing new circumstances to arise in terms of the medical, social, cultural and economic areas. For example, parallel to the perception of aging, there is also an increase in the demand for health and support services. Indeed, much of the movement which has appeared within the scope of health tourism, and which is directed across borders is created by this crowd of people. And this crowd of people are also the majority of those who are benefitting from the health services. 

When taking into account the innovations achieved in the medical area, Turkey is extremely well-suited for inhabitation by the aged and retired, due to its geographic, atmospheric, ecological, cultural and historical characteristics. 

Further, the disabled population, which makes up almost 10% of the population in many countries, also has a right to travel and have fun like everyone else. However, due to a lack of infrastructure, this section of society is generally unable to take part in tourism. And this brings with it a large number of social and spiritual problems. Disabled individuals need services which are different to those needed by the rest of the community. In order for them to be able to travel to other countries, they need the conditions to be provided whereby they can move independently. The facility and its surroundings need to be equipped with this in mind, and should not charge additional fees for it. And staff who will serve need to have received training in this area.

There are hotels in Turkey which provide unburdened holidays for the disabled. The doors, elevators and rooms of these hotels have been designed for the disabled, and there are water elevators in the swimming pools, ramps so that wheelchairs may access the balconies from the rooms, emergency assistance buttons in the rooms, peepholes on the room doors which are at a suitable level for those in wheelchairs, etc..